Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 11: Location of a Player and a Referee

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

Where a player or a referee is for the rules, in the air and on the lines, and what it means when the ball touches a referee.

11.111Where a Player Is

Location by the floor, airborne players and the lines.

The location of a player is determined by where that player is touching the floor.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · recall
While airborne a player keeps the status of the place where he last touched the floor.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · recall
The rule names the boundary, centre, 3-point and free-throw lines and the restricted area and no-charge lines.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · recall
His take-off spot was out of bounds, so he is out of bounds until he lands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · applied
While airborne the player keeps his frontcourt status.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · applied
The restricted area's lines are part of it, and an airborne player keeps that status.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.3, 11.1 · applied
Location is where a player touches the floor; a foot on the 3-point line is not in the 3-point goal area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.4, 11.1 · applied
His status changes only when he touches the floor again, here on the boundary line.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.1, 11.1 · applied
His take-off place decides his status until he touches the floor again.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · applied
The shot is judged from the take-off point, inside the line.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1 · applied

A referee's location, and the ball touching a referee.

The location of a referee is determined in the same manner as that of a player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · recall
When the ball touches a referee, it is the same as touching the floor at the referee's location.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · recall
Touching the referee counts as touching the floor where he stands, here Team A's backcourt.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
The centre line is part of the backcourt, and the referee's location is judged by where he touches the floor.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.2, 11.2 · applied
It is the same as the ball touching the floor inside the court, so play continues.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
The ball's location is the floor under the referee: Team A's frontcourt.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
Touching a referee is touching the floor where he stands, here inside the restricted area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
A referee on the court is treated like that part of the floor.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
Where the referee stands decides the ball's location.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied
Behind the endline is out of bounds, and the referee counts as that piece of floor.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 11 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)